1&#39;-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-Y1]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H), 4&#39;-piperidine]hydrohalogenides

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a hydrohalogenide of 1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine], pharmaceutical compositions containing the acid addition salts and the use thereof for the treatment of psychic and neurological disorders.

The present invention relates to hydrohalogenides of1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine]with hydrochloric, hydrobromic, or hydroiodic acid, pharmaceuticalcompositions containing the acid addition salts and the use thereof forthe treatment of psychic and neurological disorders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

International Patent Publication No. WO 92/22554 discloses a series ofsigma receptor ligands which are considered useful for the treatment ofa range of psychic and neurological disorders. The structure activityrelationship of these compounds has been further investigated byPerregaard, J. et al., J. Med. Chem. 1995, 38, 11, p. 1998-2008.

One of the compounds herein, which is the subject of the presentinvention, has the general formula

This compound was shown in Perregaard, J. et al., J. Med. Chem. 1995,38, 11, p. 1998-2008 to be a potent and selective sigma ligand.Furthermore, the anxiolytic potential of the compound was tested in theblack/white exploration test in rats, which is an animal modelpredictive for anxiolytic activity, and was found to be active over alarge dose range.

Evidence has been presented from studies of the biology and function ofsigma receptors that sigma receptor ligands may be useful in thetreatment of a range of psychic and neurological disorders, includingpsychosis and movement disorders, such as dystonia and tardivedyskinesia, and motor disturbances associated with Huntington's choreaor Tourette's syndrome and in Parkinson's disease (Walker, J. M. et al,Pharmacological Reviews, 1990, 42, 355). The known sigma receptor ligandrimcazole clinically shows effect in the treatment of psychoses (Snyder,S. H., Largent, B. L. J. Neuropsycdiatry 1989, 1, 7) and a group ofsigma receptor ligands have been described to show antihallucinogenicactivity in animal models (International Patent Publication No. WO9103243).

Sigma receptor ligands have also been reported to be involved inmodulation of NMDA receptor mediated events in the brain and to act asanti-ischemic agents in in vivo tests (Rao, T. S. et al, MolecularPharmacology, 1990, 37, 978). In addition to ischemia they may also beuseful in the treatment of other such NMDA receptor mediated events,e.g. epilepsy and convulsion.

Also, some sigma receptor ligands have been found to show anti-amnesiceffects in an animal model (Early et al., Brain Research 1991, 546,281-286).

Sigma ligands have been shown to influence central acetylcholine levelsin animal models (Matsuno et al, Brain Research 1992, 575, 315-319;Junien et al, Eur. J. Pharm. 1991, 200, 343-345) and may therefore havepotential in the treatment of senile dementia of the Alzheimer type.

Finally, some guanidine derivatives having sigma receptor activity havebeen disclosed to be useful as anxiolytics (International PatentPublication No. WO 9014067).

Accordingly, a compound which acts potently on the sigma receptors inthe central nervous system is believed to be of potential use in thetreatment of anxiety, psychosis, epilepsy, convulsion, movementdisorders, motor disturbances, amnesia, cerebrovascular diseases, seniledementia of Alzheimer type and Parkinson's disease.

The free base of1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine]is an oil and as such not useful for the production of solidpharmaceutical preparations, such as tablets or capsules. As oraladministration of a solid entity is the preferred and most convenientmethod for the administration of a pharmaceutical, a solid form of theCompound, suitably a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which canbe mixed with various adjuvants or diluents and formed into tab-lets orfilled in capsules, is highly desirable.

The compound,1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine]was disclosed for the first time in International Patent Publication No.WO 92/22544 (compound No. 5a) in the form of the oxalic acid additionsalt.

Another acid addition salt of1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine],namely the fumarate has been disclosed in Perregaard, J. et al., J. Med.Chem. 1995, 38, 11, p. 1998-2008.

The aqueous solubility of both the free base and the fumarate is verylow, a property which is known to possibly compromise thebioavailability of the drug. Furthermore, experiments in rats and dogshave indicated a limited bioavailablity of the fumarate of1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine].

It has now, surprisingly, been found that the relative bioavailabilityof the hydrochloride of1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine]is three times larger than that of the fumarate salt.

The hydrochloride of the invention also have improved water solubilitycompared to the fumarate of1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine].

THE INVENTION

According to the present invention new hydrohalogenides of1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine]with improved bioavailability has been provided.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the acidaddition salt according to the invention is the hydrochloride of1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine].

In another embodiment of the invention relates to the hydrobromide of1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine].

The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing thehydrohalogenide salts of the invention and the use of the salts for thepreparation of pharmaceutical compositions and the use thereof for thetreatment of anxiety, psychoses, epilepsy, convulsion, movementdisorders, motor disturbances, amnesia, cerebrovascular diseases, seniledementia of Alzheimer type and Parkinson's disease.

As used herein, a hydrohalogenide of1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine]means the hydrochloride, the hydrobromide or the hydroiodide of1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine]and includes the anhydrate, the hemi-, mono- and dihydrate thereof aswell as solvents thereof.

The hydrohalogenides according to the invention may be obtained bytreatment of1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′piperidine]with hydrochloric, hydrobromic or hydroiodic acid in an inert solventfollowed by precipitation, isolation and optionally recrystallization byknown methods and if desired micronisation of the crystalline product bywet or dry milling or another convenient process, or preparation ofparticles from a solvent-emulsification process.

Precipitation of the hydrohalogenide addition salt is preferably carriedout in an inert solvent, e.g. an inert polar solvent such as an alcohol(e.g. ethanol, 2-propanol and n-propanol).

According to the invention, hydrohalogenides of1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine]may be administered in any suitable way e.g. orally or parenterally, andthe salt may be presented in any suitable form for such administration,e.g. in the form of tablets, capsules, powders, syrups or solutions ordispersions for injection. Preferably, and in accordance with thepurpose of the present invention, the salt of the invention isadministered in the form of a solid pharmaceutical entity, suitably as atablet or a capsule.

Methods for the preparation of solid pharmaceutical preparations arewell known in the art. Tablets may thus be prepared by mixing the activeingredients with ordinary adjuvants and/or diluents and subsequentlycompressing the mixture in a convenient tabletting machine. Examples ofadjuvants or diluents comprise: corn starch, lactose, talcum, magnesiumstearate, gelatine, lactose, gums, and the like. Any other adjuvant oradditive such as colourings, aroma, preservatives, etc. may also be usedprovided that they are compatible with the active ingredients.

The salts of the invention are most conveniently administered orally inunit dosage forms such as tablets or capsules, containing the activeingredient in an amount from about 10 μg/day/kg to 25 mg/day/kg bodyweight, or between 25 μg/day/kg to 10 mg/day/kg body weight. A suitabledaily dose is between 1.0 and 160 mg/day.

The invention will be illustrated in the following examples. Theexamples may not be construed as limiting.

The fumarate of 1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine] can be prepared as described inPerregaard, J. et al., J. Med. Chem. 1995, 38, 11, p. 1998-2008(compound 14f).

EXAMPLE 11′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine]

1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine],fumarate (69 g) was suspended in water (350 ml) and ethylacetate (350ml). The mixture was made alkaline (pH 10-12) by the addition ofconcentrated aqueous sodium hydroxide and stirred until all solids weredissolved. The aqueous layer was extracted with ethylacetate (2×100 ml)and the combined organic extracts were dried over sodium sulphate andevaporated in vacuo.

EXAMPLE 21′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine],hydrochloride

1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine](10.3 g) and 2-propanole (100 ml) were heated to reflux. The solutionwas allowed to cool to 45° C. Aqueous hydrochloric acid (2.2 ml, 36%)was added dropwise and a precipitate of the title compound was formed.The suspension was heated to reflux and allowed to cool to ambienttemperature. The suspension was cooled in ice, filtered off and dried.Yield: 10.1 g (90%). The salt is a mono salt and according to ourinvestigations an anhydrate.

KF: 0.51%; HPLC 100.8%; DSC (onset/peak_(max)) 222.5° C./223.8° C.

CHN (calculated/measured): C, 73.38/73.13; H, 6.57/6.56; N, 5.70/5.80.

EXAMPLE 31′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine]hydrobromide

1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine](1.05 g, oil) and 2-propanole (10 ml) was stirred and heated until theoil was dissolved. Aqueous hydrobromic acid (2.5 ml, 47% HBr) was addeddropwise and a precipitate of the title compound was formed. More2-propanole (5 ml) and hydrobromic acid (2.5 ml, 47% HBr) was added tothe suspension. The suspension was cooled on ice and the precipitate wasfiltered off and dried.

EXAMPLE 41′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine]hydroiodide

1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine](1.0 g, oil) and 2-propanole (15 ml) was stirred and heated until theoil was dissolved. Aqueous hydroiodic acid (1 ml, 57% HI) was addeddropwise and crystals of the title compound was formed. More 2-propanole(10 ml) and hydrobromic acid (4 ml, 57% HI) was added to the suspension.The suspension was cooled on ice and the precipitate was filtered offand dried.

Bioavailability Study

After multiple administration in Beagle dogs, the bioavailability of thesalts of1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine]was investigated as described in the following study:

Two groups, each consisting of four Beagle dogs (2 males and 2 females)were used in the study.

The dogs in the individual groups were given single daily doses of 10mg/kg/day (calculated as free base) of the fumarate and thehydrochloride of1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine]for seven days.

Blood samples for serum preparation were drawn from the test animals atspecific nominal time points before and after dosing on each day andanalyzed using HPLC.

Test Animals

Four male and four female purpose-bred Beagle dogs all from Interfauna,Ltd., Huntingdon, UK were allocated at random in pairs to one of the twostudy groups.

At the start of the treatment, the dogs were approximately 12-38 monthsold and weighed 9.8-13.0 kg.

Dose and Formulation

Single doses of the different salts corresponding to 10.0 mg (˜21997nmol) of1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine]per kg body weight were accurately weighed into gelatine capsules. Thecalculated amounts of test compound for each dog were based on bodyweights measured at study start.

Dosing

The test animals were dosed once daily between 08:00 and 09:00 (24-hourclock) for 7 days.

Blood Sampling and Serum Preparation

Blood samples (approx. 3 ml) for serum preparation were drawn from thejugular vein of the test animals at the following nominal time pointsbefore and after dosing on each day: Day 1: Before, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and12 hours after dosing. Day 2-6: Before and 3 hours after dosing. Day 7:Before, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after dosing.

The time points above corresponds to: before, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24,27, 48, 51, 72, 75, 96, 99, 120, 123, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 150, 152,156, 168, 192, 216 and 240 hours after the first dosing on day 1.

The exact blood sampling times for each dog relative to the first dosewere recorded.

Blood samples were allowed to clot at room temperature for 30-90 minutesafter sampling. The clotted samples were centrifuged at 1000 g for 15minutes and separated serum transferred to clean test tubes. Serumsamples were stored at approx. −20° C. until analysis.

Drug Assay

The serum samples obtained were analysed for content of1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine]by a pseudo-normal phase HPLC-method after liquid-liquid extraction.1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[5-fluoro-isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine]was used as internal standard. Serum samples were analysed for contentof1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine]using the following reference substances, extraction procedure and highperformance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method.

Reference Substances

-   1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine],    fumarate,-   1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[5-fluoro-isobenzo-furan-1(3H),4′-piperidine]    (ISTD),-   1′-[5-phenyl-1-pentyl]-spiro[isobenzo-furan-1(3H),4′-piperidine]    (stabilising agent).    Extraction Procedure

Ethanol (50 μl), 100 μl 2 N NaOH and 4.0 ml n-heptane containing 1%isobutanol was added to serum samples of 500 μl. The samples were shakenfor 15 minutes, centrifuged for 5 minutes at approximately 2000 g andthen frozen in an ethanol/dry ice bath. The organic phase wastransferred to a clean test tube and evaporated under nitrogen (N₂) at40° C. The residue was dissolved in 150 μl mobile phase for HPLC (sebelow) and 75 μl analysed by HPLC. HPLC method Column: HP Hypersil (100× 4.6 mm I.D., 5 μm particles) Column 35° C. temperature: Mobile phaseAcetonitrile: 0.25 M Ammonium acetate (98:2 v/v) composition: Mobilephase flow: 1.0 ml/min Detection: Fluorescence (Excitation: 257 nm,Emission: 380 nm) Injection volume: 75 μl Runtime: 14 min Retentiontime: 1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine]: ˜9.7 min,1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[5-fluoroisobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine] (ISTD): ˜6.5 min.

All serum samples were analysed as single determinations.

The limit of quantification was 2 ng per sample for1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine]corresponding to 8.80 nmol/l serum using 500 μl serum for analysis.

Calibration samples for calculation of serum concentrations of1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine]were prepared and analysed on each day of analysis from control dogserum spiked with known amounts of1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine]in the range 0-500 ng of each compound per sample.

Quality control (QC) samples were prepared and analysed on each day ofanalysis from control dog serum spiked with known amounts (1, 50 or 400ng per sample) of1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine.

Calculation

Serum concentrations of1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine](ng/ml and nmol/l) were calculated from the actual amounts (ng) found byanalysis and the serum volume used for analysis.

The area under the serum concentration versus time curve from time zeroto 24 hours after dosing on day 7 (AUC_(0-24,7)) was calculated by thelinear trapezoidal rule.

The relative oral bioavailability of1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine](F_(rel)) of the hydrochloride compared to the bioavailability of thefumarate salt was estimated as the ratio between the mean AUC_(0-24,7)values found for the group of dogs which had received the hydrochlorideand the mean AUC_(0-24,7) value found for group of dogs which hadreceived the fumarate.

Results are presented in table 1: TABLE 1 Relative bioavailability(F_(rel)) of a hydrochloride of 1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine] after oral administration. AUC_(0-24.7) F_(rel) Acidaddition salt Mean SD (compared to fumarate) Fumarate  4017 2403 —Hydrochloride 12023 3699 2.99

1-4. (canceled)
 5. A method for the treatment of a condition selectedfrom the group consisting of anxiety, psychosis, epilepsy, convulsion,movement disorders, motor disturbances, amnesia, cerebrovasculardiseases, senile dementia of Alzheimer type and Parkinson's disease,comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of ahydrohalogenide of1′-[4-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-indole-3-yl]-1-butyl]-spiro[isobenzofuran-1(3H),4′-piperidine] or hydrate or solvate thereof to a subject suffering fromsuch a condition.
 6. The method according to claim 5 wherein anxiety istreated.
 7. The method according to claim 5 wherein the hydrohalogenideis the hydrochloride.